Dhaka, Bangladesh, 5 August 2021 – Facebook Journalism Project has partnered with the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) and Center for Communication Action Bangladesh (C-CAB) to upskill over 1,000 journalists. The program, Facebook Fundamentals for News, will be delivered completely digitally via BigSpring, mobile skilling platform partner.
The mobile curriculum, available in both English and Bangla, includes skills on online safety, best practices on Facebook, and how to best leverage video on the platform. The program can be accessed via mobile and web.
“We are committed to supporting quality journalism and providing tools and training to journalists globally,” said Anjali Kapoor, Director of News Partnerships, Facebook Asia Pacific. “This partnership was developed after speaking with the news community and our partners in APAC who had identified the need to support the region’s journalists with foundational skills so they can use Facebook more effectively. We hope that this program can help journalists to adapt digitally, and create more informed and engaged communities across the news ecosystem.”
Zain Mahmood, Executive Director at Center for Communication Action Bangladesh explained, “We welcome the support of Facebook to bring a curriculum that can help improve the social media skills of our journalists and strengthen the foundation of reporting across the country. The fact that we can make this available via a mobile platform, through BigSpring’s technology, ensures that the program can reach more journalists across the country more rapidly. The impact of this program starts today.”
Dilrukshi Handunetti, Executive Director of Center for Investigative Reporting said, “This collaboration provides the opportunity for us to nurture the next generation of journalists, and equip them with best practices of working across platforms and new ways of storytelling. It will enable us to support the work of local journalists and newsrooms as they tell in-depth and ground-breaking stories that engage and empower communities.”
Bhakti Vithalani, the Founder and CEO of BigSpring added, “We are delighted to provide the mobile platform that puts digital skills into the hands of journalists in Bangladesh. BigSpring’s platform enables users to access bite-sized content and engage in learning communities to gain skills proficiency. Our mobile-first, multilingual platform provides easy access and ensures journalists in Bangladesh can continue their important work. We are proud to be a partner in this endeavour.”
Journalists can register for this program using Apple and Android phones as well as access it via this website.
The curriculum follows Facebook Journalism Project’s commitment to Bangladeshi journalists, which also includes other training programs, such as the recent launch of Reuters Digital Journalism Course to enhance reporting skills.
About BigSpring
BigSpring is a mobile-first skilling platform with a focus on measuring impact versus course completions. The platform delivers lifelong skilling for “all collar” professionals, at pace with rapidly evolving market needs. BigSpring’s reach extends globally to over a million learners with customers such as Google, Facebook, Uber, Samsung, AXA Insurance, Sotheby’s, Tata Group and others. BigSpring has been selected by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer 2020 (past recipients included Google, Twitter, Airbnb, Palantir).
About Center for Investigative Reporting
The Center for Investigative Reporting is Sri Lanka’s first organization dedicated to fostering investigative journalism. Set up by journalists to support excellence in investigative journalism, CIR is the only member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) in Sri Lanka. CIR undertakes training, research and story development in investigative journalism and focuses on producing the next generation of impactful muckrakers. Working with multiple local and international partners, CIR is well-positioned to deliver programs across South Asia, with several ongoing regional collaborations.
About C-CAB
Center for Communication Action Bangladesh uses media and strategic communication tools to improve access to timely, accurate and actionable information with the ultimate aim of empowering communities and helping to achieve sustainable development goals. Led by journalists and digital communication specialists, C-CAB works on both the supply and demand sides of the news ecosystem, ranging from building capacity in mobile journalism, conflict-sensitive journalism, and data journalism to training young people in media literacy.
